LA MONNAIE / BRAFA
La Monnaie is delighted to be the guest of honour at Brafa 2013. It is a sterling opportunity to show yet again the extent to which opera is an art form open to all and a direct link to the world.
In 2013, the “Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie” will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its current form as the National Opera of Belgium. Known today under the name of La Monnaie/De Munt, our institution is a sign of federal Belgium: it is also the opera house of Brussels, the capital of Europe. It has moreover established itself as a major stage in the international opera circuit, as its productions usually elicit accolades in the specialised press. It is therefore an ideal cultural showcase and an ambassador of our country in Europe, as attested by the title “Opera House of the Year” conferred in 2011-2012.
It therefore made sense for Brafa and La Monnaie to join forces: these two institutions are keen on and explicitly geared to promoting, preserving and presenting works of art to the public by insisting on the importance of the creation and the beauty of the works.
A spearhead of tradition and innovation, of quality and expertise, La Monnaie is teeming with activities with nearly 400 permanent employees and many guest artists (conductors, singers, directors, set designers) who are working tirelessly to rediscover the opera repertoire and to stage an audacious and committed interpretation for today’s public.
This public interested in both ancient and contemporary art is that encountered in large numbers at the Brafa; the quality and diversity of the offer are guaranteed as much at Brafa as at La Monnaie!
2013 will also be the year of three great opera composers: Benjamin Britten, born 100 years ago, and Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner born 200 years ago. La Monnaie, the symbol of opera par excellence in Belgium, is therefore very proud to be present at this edition of the Brafa.
On that occasion, you are cordially invited to discover, in the space reserved for La Monnaie, the chandalier of Charles Kaisin: his Pteron is a flight of some 2,000 origamis, gilded paper doves. This work of art, which draws inspiration from the large old chandelier hanging from the ceiling of La Monnaie, was made possible thanks to many hands in Saint Gilles Prison in Brussels, who folded these origamis. Whereas movement brings this impressive aerial installation to life, light turns it into an abstract, fragmented landscape that scintillates at the slightest breath of air. For Charles Kaisin, this Pteron is a symbol of freedom, peace and refinement.
The Pteron installation has been kindly made available by Mr and Mrs Amaury de Solages, of the Maison Particulière.
With the support of the Circle of Maecenas of La Monnaie: Mr and Mrs Daniel Lebard Mr Roberto Polo Mr and Mrs Alain Mallart Mr and Mrs Erol Kandiyoti Mr and Mrs Hans C. Schwab Mr and Mrs Gilles Silberman
La Monnaie moreover invites you to guided tours of a “Monnaie promenade” at the Brafa site. General director Peter de Caluwe selected some ten works of the Brafa that echo the theme of the season: “Desire, Secret & Fragility” which tries to map through art, and opera in particular, human passions in all their multiplicity, complexity, contradictions, etc… all this confusion of feelings that we discover in ourselves and in others, which forces us to question our identity. A guide will be at your disposal every day at the stand of La Monnaie as of 2pm to accompany you through this tour through emotions…
Finally, La Monnaie has the pleasure of welcoming you in its premises for a guided tour of the theatre and the workshops: you will discover, with your own eyes, the various trades that contribute to turn an opera score into a total artwork. Guided tours are scheduled every day at 5pm at La Monnaie during the Brafa.
That said, the experience of opera on stage supersedes all else. La Monnaie has consequently conceived an exceptional cooperation with the Brafa; visitors to the fair will be eligible for an exceptional ticket price for the production of Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini (24 January to 8 February). They will moreover be able to take out mid-season tickets known as “La Monnaie as a gift” comprising four shows: two operas (either La Dispute and Così fan Tutte ; or Lucrezia Borgia and Pelléas et Mélisande), the opera Roméo et Juliette in concert form, and a concert or a recital of their choice.
The Brafa and La Monnaie wish you a highly artistic 2013!